The upfront price is the trap. Cost per page is the real number.
Verdict
A cartridge printer is cheap to buy and expensive to feed, which is the entire business model. An ink tank printer costs several times more upfront and runs at a small fraction of the cost per page, so it wins decisively if you print regularly. Buy the ink tank if you print more than a few pages a week; buy the cartridge printer only if you print rarely and want the lowest possible purchase price.
| Epson EcoTank ET-2800 | Canon PIXMA TR4720 | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront price | Higher | Very low |
| Cost per page | Very low | High |
| Ink supplied at purchase | Substantial, often years | Small starter cartridges |
| Refilling | Pour from bottles | Buy cartridges |
| Clogging if unused | Possible, print occasionally | Possible, more so |
| Best for | Regular printing | A few pages a month |
You print regularly, or a household prints homework, forms and photos. The bottles that come in the box often last a year or more, and the running cost is low enough that you stop rationing printing, which is itself worth something.
Check Epson EcoTank ET-2800 on Amazon
You print a handful of pages a month and want the cheapest thing that works. Be clear about what you are buying: the starter cartridges are small, and the first replacement set can cost close to the printer itself.
Check Canon PIXMA TR4720 on Amazon
Divide the ink or toner price by its page yield, which manufacturers publish to a standard. Our cost per page calculator compares specific models, and the gap between cartridge and tank printers is usually large enough to settle the decision on its own.
They can, like any inkjet, if left unused for long periods. Printing something in colour every week or two is the simple prevention, and it costs almost nothing given the low running cost.
It varies enormously and can void warranty terms. Poor quality ink is a common cause of clogs and colour shifts. With a tank printer the manufacturer's own ink is cheap enough that the risk rarely seems worth it.
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these units side by side. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Our Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 review covers the tank side in detail, including the point most reviews skip: dye ink does not have the permanence a sold print needs.